Law and Language in the Middle Ages (Medieval Law and Its Practice, 25) delves into the intricate relationship between law and legal practice through a linguistic lens. Edited by Matthew W. McHaffie, this volume examines how legal language not only expresses but also advances power relations, while highlighting the ways in which legal language itself contributes to the legitimation of these powers. The essays within explore the multifaceted interactions between power, legitimacy, and language across a broad geographical and temporal spectrum, offering insights that transcend traditional discussions centered on identity or the formation of nation-states and their institutions.

The contributors include Michael H. Gelting, Dirk Heirbaut, Carole Hough, Anette Kremer, Ada Maria Kuskowski, Anders Leegaard Knudsen, André Marques, Matthew McHaffie, Bruce O’Brien, Paul Russell, Werner Schäfke, and Vincenz Schwab. Together, their essays reveal the diverse strategies employed in the political, legal, and cultural landscapes of the Middle Ages, underscoring the era’s rich tapestry of experiences and perspectives.